GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (June 23, 2014) — The husband of a murdered mother of four, speaking out for the first time only to FOX 17.
The suspect is Shawn Jarrett and he’s a convicted killer who was released after serving 30 years behind bars.
Jarrett was arrested by Grandville Police Friday night for sex assault and home invasion. Now, the community and Reyes family are asking how this could have happened.
“When they came here, they always think those things didn’t happen here. Everyone talks that in our country is so violent and so many bad things happen,” Yolanda’s husband Timoteo Rodas said as interpreted by family friend Xeomara Montenegro.
Rodas says he and Yolanda came to the United States for a better life, a safer home for their family.
“It’s a sharp pain and you don’t want to be crying in front of his kids,” she said, interpreting Rodas’ statements. “But at the same time he just wants justice to be served for her. He doesn`t want to feel angry.”
But, it’s hard to keep it all together while learning Jarrett is now tied to the murder of his wife of 17 years.
“We can put him at this location, he has contact with her, she probably knew who he was, worked with him on different occasions and perhaps was comfortable,” Walker Police Deputy Chief Greg Long said.
Long says the case where Jarrett was convicted of murder is eerily similar to the recent crimes in West Michigan. Jarrett worked with Yolanda at Neal Mast and Son’s Greenhouses in Walker.
“The day of Mrs. Reyes disappearance was Jarrett`s last day of employment with Neal Mast,” Long said.
Though Rodas says the link to Jarrett doesn’t bring any closure, he’s finding peace that those speculating his involvement in his wife’s death, are being silenced.
Long says Rodas is not a suspect or person of interest and has been fully cooperative since his wives disappearance.
“For the rest of the people that didn`t know Yolanda or didn`t know him or the family, of course there`s a lot of wondering outside,” he said. “The people who knew him knew he wasn`t going to be able to hurt the love of his life.”
Rodas wants Yolanda remembered as the loving mother and wife he and their four children miss so dearly.
“Every morning I wake up and see her picture and says good morning baby how are you today,” Rodas said.
Police fear Jarrett may have more victims on the area and are working with surrounding agencies for any similarities.
